Inspection of

Aerodrome
Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Presented to: ICAO/ FAA Aerodrome

Certification Inspectors Workshop for the
Caribbean Region
By: Laurie Dragonas, FAA Lead Airport
Certification/Safety Inspector
Date: June, 2012
Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Annex 14, Aerodromes, Volume I

Aerodrome Design and Operations
Chapter 5.3 Lights

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Aerodrome Beacon
At aerodrome intended for use at night
Located on or adjacent to the aerodrome
Flashes from 20-30 per minute
Alternating green with white flashes OR
White flashes only

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Approach Lighting Systems

Non- Precision Instrument RunwaySimple approach lighting system 5.3.4.2
Row of lights on extended centerline
Crossbar 300m from threshold

Precision Approach- CAT I

Row of lights on extended centerline
Crossbars at 300m intervals

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Precision Approach CAT II and III

Extended center line lights extending 900m
from the runway threshold
Two side row of lights extending 270m from
threshold
Two crossbars, located at 150 m and 300 m
from the threshold.

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

VASI- Visual Approach Slope

Indicator systems

RWYs used by turbojets

Difficulty in judging approach
Objects in approach area
Hazard conditions at either end of runway
Terrain or weather conditions may cause turbulence

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Runway Threshold Lights

Provided for lighted runways except on non-instrument
runways or non-precision runways where the threshold
is displaced.
NPI- at least 6 lights
CAT I intervals of 3m
CAT II & III- uniformly spaced not >3m

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Wing Bar Lights

Provided on precision approach runway when
additional conspicuity desirable
Provided on non-precision where the threshold is
displaced and threshold lights are required.

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

Runway End Lights

Provided for a runway equipped with runway edge
lights
Consists of at least 6 lights
Unidirectional showing red in the direction of the
runway.

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

10

Runway Centerline Lighting

Centerline lighting is white except:

last 2000 feet of edge lights split yellow/white
last 3000 feet centerline lights red/white
last 1000 feet centerline lights red

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

11

Runway Centerline lights, edge

lights and end lights.

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

12

Displaced Threshold Lighting

Aerodrome Lighting

DISPLACED THRESHOLD

DISPLACED THRESHOLD

10

AREA USABLE FOR ROLLOUT, TAXIING AND TAKEOFF

10

Federal Aviation
Administration

13

13

Taxiway Edge Lights

Color is blue
Distance between lights can vary based on length of TWY
cannot exceed 200 feet between lights
Frangible mounts < 3 above grade

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

14

Other Lighting

Intermediate holding position lights

Runway Guard Lights
Apron floodlighting
Visual docking guidance systems

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

15

Taxiway Centerline Lights

Color is green
For RVR ops 1000 feet and above, spacing is max of
25 feet
For RVR ops below 1000 feet, max spacing is 12.5
feet

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

16

Installation of Light Fixtures

MIRL, HIRL, MITL may be base-mounted
LIRL, MIRL, HIRL, MITL may be stake-mounted
Frangible no higher than 3 above grade
Leveled and aligned within 1 degree
Top of elevated fixture 14 above grade (may be increased in
areas where mean annual snowfall exceeds 2 feet)

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

17

17

Installation of Light Fixtures

24 30
22
18
14

20

16

Pavement Edge
(or Defined Runway Edge)

In this area, the maximum

fixture height is 14 inches
5 (1.5m)

Aerodrome Lighting

In this area, the fixture height

may be increased 2 inches
per foot. The maximum
fixture height 10 feet from the
taxiway edge is 30 inches
10 (3m)
above grade.

Federal Aviation
Administration

18

18

Performance Requirements for

Runway Lights
Runway lights that support CAT II/CAT III
must be

Remotely monitored, or

Visually inspected prior to the start of

CAT II/CAT III with repeated visual
inspections/pilot reports every 2 hours
while in CAT II/CAT III

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

19

Performance Requirements
Taxiway Lights
No 2 adjacent lights inoperative
Lights not below normal brightness
Lights not obscured by snow, ice, dirt, etc.
No more than 10% of lights inoperative

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

20

Inspection of Lighting Systems

Components, configuration, installation and operation of the
systems.
RWY and TWY lighting systems and their
application
Obstruction lights, windsock
Airport Beacon
Approach Lighting Systems
Apron Lighting
Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

21

Inspection Checklist

Installed correctly

Properly oriented

Operational at all intensities

Frangible mounts/disconnect plug

Clean, undamaged lenses

Uniform intensity

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

22

22

Inspection Checklist

Correct color and configuration

No confusing or deceptive conditions

Properly maintained

Non-protruding stakes

Proper current

Standby power

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

23

Inspecting Runway Lighting

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

24

Criteria for CAT I

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

25

Criteria for CAT II & III Runways

For Cat I, II & III runways, the

threshold light bar is part of the
approach lighting system

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

26

Inspecting Airfield Lighting

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

27

Inspecting windsock lights

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

28

FAA Standards
CFR Part 139
Section 139.311 Marking, Signs, and Lighting

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

29

Section 139.311(c)
Each certificate holder must provide and maintain lighting
systems for air carrier operations when:

The airport is open at night

During conditions below VFR

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

30

Section 139.311(c)(1) (c)(5)

Lighting systems must consist of at least
1. Runway lighting that meets the specifications for takeoff &
landing minimums for each runway
2. A taxiway lighting system
3. An airport beacon
4. Approach lighting that meets the specifications for the
authorized runway takeoff and landing minimum unless
provided and/or maintained by other than the certificate holder
5. Obstruction marking and lighting on each object determined by
FAA to be an obstruction

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

31

Section 139.311(c)(2)
Taxiway lighting system must be one of the
following:

Centerline lights

Centerline reflectors

Edge lights

Edge reflectors

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

32

Section 139.311(d)
Each certificate holder must properly maintain each marking,
sign or lighting system installed and operated on the airport.

Aerodrome Lighting

Cleaning, replacing or repairing any

faded, missing or nonfunctional item

Keeping each item un-obscured and

clearly visible

Ensuring each item provides accurate

reference to the user

Federal Aviation
Administration

33

Section 139.311(e)
Each certificate holder must ensure that all lighting on the
airport is adjusted or shielded to prevent interference with air
traffic control and aircraft operations; including lighting for:

Aprons

Vehicle parking areas

Roadways

Fuel storage areas

Buildings

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

34

FAA Airport Lighting Standards

Advisory Circular 150/5340-26B Maintenance of
Airport Visual Aids
Advisory Circular 150/5340 -30F Design and
Installation Details for Airports Visual Aids
Advisory Circular 150/5345- 12F Specification for
Airport and Heliport Beacons
Advisory Circular 150/5345- 39D Specification for
L-853, Runway & Taxiway Retroreflective
Markers

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

35

Questions?

Aerodrome Lighting

Federal Aviation
Administration

36